Precinct history & heritage

The Precinct is located in Fleet Street North Parramatta and forms part of the North Parramatta Government heritage site. It was once the destination of all unassigned convict women transported to the colony of NSW and was also 'home' to an estimated 40,000 children who were confined to its welfare institutions.

History, Heritage & Preservation

The Precinct has been associated with women and children through every part of Australia’s history and the institutions of the site reflect larger societal attitudes on morality, welfare, reform and punishment. It is unique as the first and largest female convict site and one which has had an ongoing association with female detention.

Heritage Status

The Parramatta Female Factory Precinct has high archeological potential. The remnant buildings of the Female Factory, Roman Catholic Orphan School and Parramatta Girls Home are included on the State Heritage List and the National Heritage Register.

We believe that as a site of national significance the Precinct should be included on the National Heritage List.

Current Ownership

The Precinct has multiple owners, a factor which
has contributed to its relative obscurity as one of
Australia's most significant heritage sites.

  • Female Factory
  • Parramatta Asylum
NSW Health operating as Cumberland Hospital
& NSW Institute of Psychiatry.
  • Orphan School (RCOS)
  • Parramatta Girls Home
NSW Corrective Services operating as
Norma Parker Detention Centre. 
  • Orphan School Hospital
  • Girls Training School
  • Kamballa & Taldree
NSW Community Services operating as
DoCs State Disaster Recovery.  

Precinct Timeline

pre 1788
 Burra-atta-gal traditional lands; Archeological evidence suggests that the area has been occupied for at least 30,000 years.
1788
Captain Arthur Phillip explores area, named 'The Crescent' government farm established
1792

Township established;renamed Parramatta; Charles Smith granted 30 acres, farm and mill established
1806
Governor William Bligh granted 105 acres south of Smith's farm. Two years earlier George Mealmaker appointed to set up a weaving establishment at the Factory above the Gaol
1812

Rev Samuel Marsden granted 30 acres north of Bligh's estate. Purchases 6 acres of Smith's farm

1816
Governor Macquarie designates 4 acres of Bligh's grant as site forFemale Factory. Instructs Francis Greenway to design a building to accommodate up to 300 women.
1821
Female Factory completed and occupied.
1839
3rd class penitentiary block built in Factory compound. Arrival of Irish Sisters of Charity at the Female Factory. Infant school established
1841
Orphan School for Catholic Children built adjacent to Factory
1848
Female Factory proclaimed a Lunatic establishment
1859

Good Shepherd (Good Samaritans) Sisters given management of Orphan School-notice to vacate site in 1886
1887
Former Orphan School proclaimed an Industrial & Training School for Girls (Parramatta Girls Home). First riots reported at institution towards end of the year.
1961
Girls Home riots; parliamentary inquiry recommend establishment of a maximum security annex. Gazetted as Hay girls Institution. Concerns about abuse within the institutions raised by human rights activists
1973

Expose abuse occuring in the institutions; protests held outside the Home led by women's movement.Parliamentary inquiry begins
1974
Parramatta & Hay institutions officially close- continue to operate as Kamballa & Taldree juvenile detention centres.
1980
Section of former Girls Home established as Norma Parker Detention Centre for Women
1983
Kamballa closes. Community Services Disaster recovery unit established in Kamballa section. Parramatta Psychiatric Hospital renamed Cumberland Hospital
2003
First reunion of former 'Parramatta Girls'
2007
First reunion of former 'Hay Girls' - the play 'Parramatta Girls' debuts at Belvoir St Theatre

Parramatta Female Factory Precinct Inc.
PO Box 2028   North Parramatta NSW 1750

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